BHSU instructor selected as college health educator of the year

BHSU health instructor Sandy Klarenbeek was recently named the 2012 South Dakota Association Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance College Teacher of the Year.

With more than 25 years of education experience, Sandy Klarenbeek’s list of accomplishments is extensive. The Black Hills State University health instructor can now add 2012 South Dakota Association Health, Physical Education,Recreation and Dance (SDAHPERD) College Teacher of the year to that list.

The SDAHPERD awarded Klarenbeek with the honor during its annual convention earlier this month. “I was very humbled and honored,” said Klarenbeek, who has worked at BHSU for 12 years. “I was really surprised because there are some excellent health educators in the higher ed level in our state.”

Dr. Betsy Silva, BHSU associate physical education professor and a previous SDAHPERD College Teacher of the Year, nominated Klarenbeek for the honor.

“Sandy understands the importance of health education for our students as demonstrated by her contribution of time, talent, skills and knowledge,” Silva said in her nomination letter. “She has kept South Dakota moving toward excellence in health education.”

Klarenbeek is a nationally certified health education specialist and was recently selected as a fellow of the American School Health Association.

In addition to her higher education duties, Klarenbeek has worked as a health education consultant for Coordinated School Health in the South Dakota Department of Education for more than two decades. She was also a member of the original writing team for the South Dakota Health Education Standards – guidelines that support schools, educators, families and other stakeholders in helping students adopt and maintain health behaviors.

Klarenbeek has represented South Dakota’s Coordinated School Health program at the State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards(SCASS), Health Education Assessment Project (HEAP) for more than 10 years. The consortium is comprised of program specialists, educators, representatives from state departments of education, school districts and higher education personnel whose mission is to improve students’ health literacy through improved health instruction.

Klarenbeek has also been a consultant for the South Dakota Department of Health’s Tobacco Control Program and a member of the State Advisory Council. She joined the faculty at BHSU in 2000.

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